Peter Snell won the 800-meter gold medal at the 1960 Summer Games in Rome Rome and set an Olympic Record in the process. However, not too many people knew about him. Then, he set a world record in the 800 and the mile in 1962. Then, he won the 800 and 1500 at the 1964 Summer Games in Tokyo. When he retired, he scientifically proved theories that his coach Arthur Lydiard had been preaching for years. He was also built like the kind of guy that you would want on your side in a bar fight.

He died on Dec. 12 and if you didn’t know who he was before maybe you know a little bit now.

He is the case-study for hundred-mile weeks. He fundamentally changed the running world and it sometimes seemed like he didn’t even like running all that much.

When you go out for your run today think about the runner who was built like a bull and yet could accelerate as if there was elastic attached to his naval. Also, think about how he slogged through thousands of miles while ever so humbly carving himself into a hero.